undefined | Better HN

0 pointsdm211y ago0 comments

Is the real life version less scary? http://eandt.theiet.org/news/2013/dec/images/640_darpa-atlas...

You wouldn't really be able to track a mobile robot with sophisticated evasion skills. It could popup randomly, kill with unmatched precision, then disappear. An army of these robots would be nearly unstoppable.

Several robots are being armed these days, with grenade launchers, sniper rifles, and both light and heavy machine guns (as seen on the guard sentries in the article) https://www.qinetiq-na.com/products/unmanned-systems/maars/

The only real limitation to current robots is the power-source / batteries. Right now we have to either strap a gasoline engine on it, tether it, or create it so that it's efficient enough to run off of existing batteries, which greatly limits their abilities.

0 comments

JVIDEL11y ago

The only real limitation to current robots is the power-source / batteries

I doubt it, military standards demand a level of reliability most robots today can't keep up with. Faulty engines, backup systems that can't handle most situations, comms problems that end with crashed drones most of the time, etc...

A soldier can compensate for a faulty rifle doing repairs on the field, and pilots have gone as far as landing a plane with only one wing (F-15, google it) something robots can't do and wont be able for a long time.

oldmanjay11y ago

Well you kinda already incorporated my reply into your post, yes, the real life version is much less scary, because it doesn't actually exist yet.

Obviously it's coming, I won't dispute that, but scare tactics don't make for a reasonable discussion, even when the person using them is absolutely sure they're doing the right thing.

unclebucknasty11y ago

>Obviously it's coming, I won't dispute that, but scare tactics don't make for a reasonable discussion, even when the person using them is absolutely sure they're doing the right thing.

Seems that if you can see all of that, then you might be able to ignore the bits you don't like and discuss the topic on its merits.

It would be much more interesting to read your thoughts on, say, the technology, morality, etc. This, rather than a critique of the author's writing style.

j / k navigate · click thread line to collapse